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Friday, October 14, 2011

The Kim Kardashian Hotel?

USA Today: Reality starlet Kim Kardashian on Thursday said at a press conference in Dubai that she's thinking about opening a branded hotel there. The Wall Street Journal published the story, so no, I'm not making this up.

"I was telling my sisters, we've got to start up a hotel in Dubai and design all the different rooms and floors," Kardashian told reporters at a press conference. "I like to pay attention to what my fan base is really asking for, whether it's hair and make-up, clothing brands...everything I think will be successful here."

Dubai is already home to some unusual, personality-driven hotels. The Armani Hotel Dubai - Italian clothing designer Giorgio Armani's contribution to the hotel world - opened in Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, the Journal notes. And late designer Gianni Versace's Palazzo Versace is set to open in 2012.

An analyst at CB Richard Ellis, however, is doubtful that any United Arab Emirates developer would financially back a Kardashian-brand hotel given today's shaky economy.

"Armani and Versace are designers who have used their expertise to build designer upscale hotel brands," CBRE hotel consultant Harjinder Singh told the Journal. "But, with all due respect, we are not aware of Kim's expertise in hotel interior designing, hence it is difficult to comment on the success of this venture."

Paris Hilton, another reality TV star, has also suggested she's getting into the hotel business (and at least she has hotels in her blood) - but so far, nothing ever came of the hype.

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